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(No ModelJ v L. J. FITZGERALD. v Pad for Vehicle Tops.

No, 239,653. Patented April 5,1188l.

Ira/awry "Jam, FHOTOLITHOGRAPHER WASHINGTON D C at the corners or along the edges of the roof,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LAWRENoE J. FITZGERALD, OF CORTLAND VILLAGE, NEW YORK.

PAD FOR VEHICLE-TOPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 239,653, dated April 5, 1881.

Application filed January 1881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAWRENoE J. FITZGER- .ALD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cortland Village, in the county of Cortland, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Pad for Skeleton-Tops for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists in the use, with skeleton-tops for vehicles, of a stuffed pad placed on the bows, under the edges of the roof, exterior to their points of curvature, to support said roof between the bows and to give it a symmetrical appearance.

The pad as constructed and adapted is illustrated in the drawings, in which- 7 Figure 1 is a sectional View of a skeletontop with pad in position. Fig.2isa plan view of the pad. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of portion of top with pad in place 5 and Fig. dis a sectional view of the pad, showing its construction, similar letters referring to similar parts.

Heretofore skeleton-tops have been constructed by stretching and fastening the roof or covering over the bare bows, thus giving an angular and unseemly appearance, especially where it would sink unsupported between the bows. This is obviated in lined tops, which are stuffed between the roof and the lining,

which is secured to the under side of the bows but in all cases the padding is made with and forms part of the top.

The pad A (illustrated in the views) is combut (No model.)

posed of a long flexible piece of duck or other suitable material, (0, preferably the same as the groundwork of the roof and curtains, the edges of which are cut parallel and nearly straight.

(See Fig.2.) To this is stitched apiece of the same or other material, 11, like the first in shape, but exceedingitin width. The edges being stitched together on three sides, thespace between them is stuffed with hair or other padding, 0, causing it to swell out ononesideof the same, theother remainingcomparatively flat. (SeeFig.4.) The open end being stitched and the pad completed, it is placed in position on the exterior of the bend of the bow, (see Figs. 1 and 3,) and the covering (1 is stretched over and secured in position. The pad supporting the covering from the bows, and between them, gives to a skeleton-top in which it is placed the appearance of being both stuffed and lined.

I lay no claim to stuffed or padded tops What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is.-

A stnfied pad substantially as described, for the purpose of supporting the outside covering of a skeleton-top, the samebeing made separate and distinct from said outside covering, as specified.

LAVVRENGE J. FITZGERALD.

Witnesses:

M. S TANLEY BIERo GEo. J. MAYcUMRER. 

